[Buddha-l] Jhanas in Mahayana & Tibetan

[Ngawang Dorje]

Hi,

Katherine:
I have posted in the jhana-insight groups, but no response yet. Anyway, thanks 
for pointing out.

Brad:
Thanks. I have obtained that book, as well as, "Study and Practice of Meditation 
- Tibetan Interpretations of the Concentrations and Formless Asorptions" (Leah 
Zahler, 2009, Snow Lion)

Jack, Brad, Lance:

I guess the observations made by Jack and Lance are correct. Nevertheless, I 
doubt it makes any differences in practice, as it is just semantics. Perhaps, 
Lance could tell us more. I believe the immaterial attainments means the 
arupajjhana.

 H. Gunaratana, in A Critical Analysis of Jhana in the Pali Canon (p.130) wrote:

"The terms 
not appear in the main rūpajjhāna and arūpajjhāna, fine material jhāna and 
immaterial jhāna, donikāyas of the Suttapi:aka. The terms rūpāvacara. jhāna. 
andarūpāvacara. jhāna.
appear occasionally in the Abhidhammapi:aka, 
commentaries that such names became common. In the suttas the formless 
attainments
are referred to sometimes by the collective name , “fine material sphere jhāna” 
and “immaterial sphere jhāna,”but it is not until the period of theāruppa 
“immaterial states,” or as thecattāro āruppā
transcending material form, immaterial” (Wr. tr.) or simply “peaceful abodes”., 
“the four immaterial states.”They are also called “peaceful emancipations,3Most 
often they are merely enumerated in their order of attainment without beng
brought together under any group label."
 
For a description of the immaterial states, see Aneñja-sappaya Sutta (MN 106), 
and Atthakanagara Sutta (MN 52). MN 52 gave me the impression that the first 
jhana is enough to become an arahant. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
It must be noted that rupajjhanas and arupajjhana have been in practice before 
the time of Buddha.
Under Alara Kalama's guidance, Bodhisatta Gotama attained the dimension of 
nothingness (the so-called 7th jhana), while under Uddaka Ramaputta, he 
attained  the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception (so-called 8th 
jhana). I had also read that while Siddhattha was a child, he already attained 
to the 4th jhana. I would appreciate if someone could point out the source for 
me.:)

Best wishes,
Rahula